The 2021 Tim Olsen Drawing Prize
UNSW Art & Design proudly presents the 2021 Tim Olsen Drawing Prize and congratulates all students who are recognised as finalists for the $5000 award.Ìý
 has been encouraging and supporting young and emerging artists to build careers as professional practicing artists for over 20 years. This collaboration has been continuously supported by the  and celebrates students who use drawing as a significant part of their artistic practice.
This year’s online exhibition provides an opportunity to view impressive works created by the twenty-five finalists who have been nominated by academic staff and then selected for inclusion in the exhibition. This year’s judging panel is Associate Professor Felicity Fenner and Sydney-based independent curator Sebastian Goldspink.
The winner of the 2021 Tim Olsen Drawing Prize is Xanthe Muston for their work ‘I Couldn’t (Can’t) Explain It’.ÌýThe judges found this a compelling drawing that speaks to the current times as we emerge from having been isolated from each other and bound to domestic rhythms and spaces. The work has an unsettling sensibility and conveys a personal narrative moving from dark to light. The work is beautifully made with a nuanced use of watercolour and great attention to detail. Congratulations to Xanthe.
The judges also selected four highly commended artists: Johann de Silva,ÌýKendall Rosario,ÌýLiana Berzins, and Matti.
This year’s exhibition will take place online, with finalists’ work also profiled via our  a²Ô»å Ìý³¦³ó²¹²Ô²Ô±ð±ô²õ.
Online exhibition:Â from Tuesday 19 October 2021
Prize announcement:Â Tuesday 26 October 2021
The 2021 finalists:Â Amelia van der Laan, Anna Seymour, Courtney Ruge, Jacqueline Pamela McIntyre, Jasmin Smith, Johann de Silva, Joshua Alipio, Kanha Kagami, Karin Mizuno, Kendall Rosario, Liana Berzins, Lily Langley, Lucy Teague, Matti, Mitchell Williams, Nicola de Vries, Nicola Isaacs, Nicole Zhang, Nikau Davis, Sam Goneis, Sophie Rhodes, Tia Madden, Veronica Frost, Xanthe Muston, Yao Chen.
Some of the artworks in this exhibition engage with themes and imagery that could cause discomfort or be triggering for some.
Image: Monika Cvitanovic Zaper, ‘Lineage’ 2020. Thread and acrylic on a recycled polyester fabric. 127cm x 108cm. Winner of the 2020 Tim Olsen Drawing Prize. Image courtesy: the artist.Ìý
The 2021 Finalists
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Acknowledgement of Country
UNSW School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.
We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
